The 30 best festival in the world brings to you a comprehensive list fulfilling the requirements for every type of festival-seekers. The best festivals from all the continents have been included with the exception of Antarctica. Unfortunately they do not let you party it out there. And although an Australian Antarctic Festival is held annually in the city of Hobart, the event did not make the cut in this list.
These festivals have something of interest for every kind of traveler. You will find tradition, culture and memorable experiences in each and everyone of these festive celebrations. The lip smacking local cuisine of the host countries is an added incentive for the seekers of adventure.
Listed below is a list of 30 must visit festivals from across the globe that will surely entice the globetrotters. These festivals are sure to give you a perfect blended taste of fun and culture.
1. Burning man – Black Rock Desert, USA
This is what the Burning Man’s web page says “Life is short. Make something amazing. (Then burn it)”. Every year a huge number of artists and performers gather and perform & create art and then leave a week later removing every trace.
It ends on the first Monday of September, two days after the Man is burnt. Cash transactions are not allowed except for some essential needs and “gifting” is encouraged. The harsh desert conditions and relying on oneself for subsistence (one has to carry their own supplies) are bound to give you a primal experience.
2. La Tomatina – Bunol, Spain
Chuck tomatoes and have tomatoes chucked at you. This is one famous festival. The rules are simple. Throw tomatoes! Tomato paste, tomato puree, whole tomatoes, half tomatoes, you can throw anything as long as it is tomato. But they need to be squished in order to avoid injuries.
This madness is held annually on the last Wednesday of August. People from all around the world attend and it is generally on the bucket list of would-be Spain travellers. The tomato dirt is hosed down by the authorities after the fest. Obviously!
3. Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest is a German beer festival.Do you really need more information? Pack your bags already if you are a beer-lover. Here is Germany at its usual self i.e. being the best at everything it does! Be it cars, football or be it beer, you want it to be German.
Along with the beer you have an opportunity to taste exquisite local dishes too. Though starting in September, it has been named Oktoberfest as it ends on the first Sunday of October. Not recommended for vegans and non-drinkers.
4. Holi – Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
This is a very colourful, very messy but very fun festival. One of the best celebrated festivals all over India but Mathura adds a special value to it as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. People splash each other with colours and not necessarily just for a day.
The colour-fest may start well before and end many days after the actual date of Holi. For people looking for a something extra, ‘bhang’ is the answer. But have too much of it and you won’t be able to say Holi before all the celebrations are over.
5. Diwali – Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Firecrackers, lights, sweets and more, Diwali is the festival of lights and symbolises the victory of good over evil. Although celebrated all over India, celebrating it in the city of lakes has its own special charm. The beautiful combination of lightings using oil lamps, firecrackers, lakes and the night sky make up for a mesmerizing view.
A personal advice: If planning to fly around the time of Diwali, do it on Diwali night for an exquisite view. But do it only if you have experienced Diwali on the ground before.
6. UFO Festival – Roswell, USA
The name is self-suggesting, isn’t it? The UFO festival was inspired by events in 1947 when it was claimed that a UFO had crash-landed in the city of Roswell but later turned out that it was just another boring military balloon. But this gave birth to an interesting festival celebrating would-be life forms other than on our planet.
People not interested in Aliens can visit too for some of the best astronomical works and to listen to some great speakers or maybe just wear an alien mask and scare your dog.
7. Eid Ul Fitr – Egypt
Eid Ul Fitr is the most famous Muslim festival. You need a Muslim country for a Muslim festival right? This is the reason for choosing Egypt. Muslims fast during the day in the month of Ramadan and this fast is broken on this day. Having a Muslim friend in Egypt would be a great add-on for this experience as only words cannot describe all the feelings and delicacies going around during this festival. Afterwards you can always head out to the pyramids.On a camel. Just kidding! But do take a ride on a camel.
8. Gay Pride Parade – Amsterdam, Netherlands
This is a boat parade down Amsterdam’s canals. Gay Pride Parades are held all over the world for the rights of the marginalized LGBT communities. Plus, in Amsterdam these parades are held down Amsterdam’s beautiful canals.
No problem if you do not identify yourself with the LGBT community. The sight is worth seeing and moreover you are in Amsterdam. You will not get time to breathe with all that is there to see and experience in the city.
9. Wine Fight – Haro, Spain
Wine. Drink. Splash. Fight. Getting better isn’t it? First a tomato – fight and now a wine – fight! Spain is magical.
People head over to a nearby hill and splash the hell out of each other with wine at this wine fight festival. Do remember to close your mouths once in a while and avoid licking the wine from your faces and try to actively play your part of a dutiful participant by pouring wine over others too.
Remember these three rules of thumb and hopefully you will not pass-out before the celebrations are over.
10. Olympic Games – Worldwide
Sporting events do not get any bigger than this.Held every four years, this is undoubtedly the biggest mega event one can witness. You will never run out of superstars for autographs or click selfies with. And if you are not that into sports this is exactly what will get you interested.
These people are the epitome of humanity. All together in one place! You are bound to get motivated just by being in the same country.
11. Dia De los Muertos- Mexico City, Mexico
Dia De los Muertos is Spanish for “Day of the Dead” and as its name suggests, it is celebrated to honour the dead. But the celebrations are nowhere as dull as you might think.They involve food, drinks and parties, basically all the things that the dead enjoyed while living.
This is a Mexican festival celebrated all over Mexico and in some parts of the United States too where there is a sizeable Latin population. The perfect place to be on this day is Mexico City where you will experience a perfect blend of folklore and urban fun. Be there on the first day of November.
12. Snow & Ice Festival – Heilongjiang, China
This is the biggest international ice and snow festival in the world. You have whole buildings sculpted out of ice brought in from a nearby river. The buildings are no ordinary buildings; they are in-fact record breaking buildings.
The tallest ice carving in recent years was the Crystal Castle towering at 48 metres high. Also there are a lot of games including biking and skiing on the frozen Songhua River from which the ice is brought. Best time to visit? Winter obviously!
13. Carnival of Venice – Venice, Italy
The Carnival of Venice is one of the most beautiful festivals in one of the most beautiful cities of the world. The carnival is typically known for its masks. Venice with its world famous gondola rides is a lover’s paradise and the perfect visiting time is obviously during the Carnival.
It is said that the city is sinking rapidly. So book your tickets as soon as possible else you might have to attend the carnival solely on a Gondola.
14. Aranmula Boat Race – Kerala, India
From talking about the Gondolas in Venice let us come over to the Palliyadams or the snake boats. These are not your typical passenger boats. These are like the Formula One version of boats. Though you will not be allowed to race on one of these, but seeing these boats in action is a treat to the eyes.
Also it is held in God’s own country, the state of Kerela, during the festival of Onam. Attending this one should definitely be on your bucket list.
15. Carnival of Rio de Janeiro – Rio, Brazil
This is the biggest carnival of all. The name itself conjures up images of Samba dancers in one’s mind. The whole town explodes with activity and you can find something worth your while in every nook and cranny of the city.
With the beaches, the crowd, the nightlife and the samba dancers, be prepared for an exhilarating experience.
16. Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA
Beads and Booze define this carnival. Wild partying, eating and drinking, this is what Mardi Gras is. And even though you are likely to commit every sin during the carnival, this festival has religious roots.
The consumption of all that fat is meant to be in order to prepare for a fast after the carnival ends. But don’t you worry. Nobody is going to force you to give up on your munchies.
17. Desert festival – Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India
The Desert festival is in one of the most inhospitable regions of the world but you will be witness to a rich and exotic tradition among the most welcoming people on earth.
Camel racing, Moustache competitions and many such unique events are a part of this festival. Too boring? You can always pack up and leave for the sand dunes which are hardly a stone’s throw away.
18. Glastonbury Festival – Somerset, England
This is arguably the biggest music and performing arts festival in the world. What else do you expect from a festival whose founder started it after being deeply moved by an open air Led Zeppelin concert?
It is said that music is food for the soul and your soul is definitely going to have a pretty full stomach during the entire duration of the festival.
With names like Adele, Tame Impala and Coldplay in its 2016 version, this is undoubtedly the Mecca of music lovers.
19. Ultra Music Festival – Miami, Florida, USA
This is an event cherry-picked from the best dreams of hard-core electronic dance music lovers. EDM fans could not have asked for a better music festival. The bass, the setting, the location, top DJs, everything is perfect about the Ultra Music Festival.
Though there are a lot of similar EDM festivals, UMF pips them all due to its location. You are in Miami after all!
20. Maha Kumbh Mela – Uttar Pradesh, India
Never will you be able to witness the mass of humanity as in the Kumbh Mela. This is held once every 12 years along the banks of the river Ganges, considered to be the holiest river by the Hindus. Hindus believe that bathing in this river purges you of all your past sins.
Just to give you an estimate of the size of the festival, about 120 million people attended this festival when it was last held in 2013. Just make sure you do not get lost among all those people.
21. Food & Wine Festival – Melbourne, Australia
Such festivals are generally held to make the local cuisine more popular. But this festival has outgrown all other similar events and has become an immensely popular international event.
It attracts food and wine lovers from all over the world. Also, some very eminent food and wine specialists grace the occasion every year. Do visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground too.
22. Kanamara Matsuri – Kawasaki, Japan
This is one odd festival. This is Japan’s annual Penis festival. The name roughly translates to iron penis. Like every festival it has its own history and superstitions, but celebrating this festival is believed to bring prosperity to you and your dear ones.
You have phallus parades, phallus lollipops, phallus key-chains, practically everything that you can imagine relating to man’s sexual organ.
From being just a local ritual it has now become a major tourist attraction and the revenue from the event goes into noble causes like HIV research.
23. Las Fallas – Valencia, Spain
Firecrackers, gunfire and mouth-watering local cuisines are the specialty of Las Fallas Festival. This is similar to the Burning Man celebrations in that it involves the burning of effigies (fallas) too but the similarity ends here. This is a plain and simple urban party where you don’t have to worry about how you are going to get your next meal from. Preparations for this festival are carried out through the whole year byfalleros (men) and falleras (women).
24. Lollapalooza – Touring
This is the festival to be at for all you Black Sabbath fans. Lollapooza is the god of all heavy metal festivals. It was conceptualized in 1991 and is held annually since then (except from 1997-2003).
It is not all about rock though. You have EDM, hip hop and pop performances too. For e.g. Lollapalooza had hosted Lady Gaga in 2007, before hosting her became a cool thing. But undoubtedly, the showstoppers are the rock bands.
This festival never fails to attract the best of them with names like Radiohead, Kings of Leon and the like featuring in the latest line-up.
25. Pflasterspektakel – Linz, Austria
Such a simple name for a festival isn’t it? No, seriously! It literally means a “pavement spectacle”. Now you see it is a street festival.
You will find yourself in the middle of wonderland with every type of art you can think of being performed all around you. Musical acts, juggling, theatre, clownery, samba parades, you name it and you will find it.
Also remember to pay the artists whose performance you liked. Donations are their main source of income.
26. Kaapse Klopse – Cape Town, South Africa
Kaapse Klopse or the Cape Carnival is South Africa’s New Year Celebrations but NOT celebrated on New Years’ day. It is celebrated the very next day. The Minstrels strut around wearing their colourful outfits and playing music.
It is basically a huge musical parade but one that is bound to get you dancing on the streets. The location and the timing of the event make it a highly popular tourist destination.
27. Festival of the Dead – Salem, USA
This Halloween, plan a trip to Salem for the best Halloween party you have had in your life. There are a huge number of events related to the dead, right from partying vampire style to attending a witches’ Halloween ball and even learning how to receive messages from the spirit world.
Ironically, the parties of the dead are the most lively you will ever attend. Again, this festival too is an example of great timing coupled with a great location.
28. Panafest – Accra, Ghana
This is a festival celebrating and promoting the culture of Africa. According to the official site, the objective is to promote Pan Africanism among Africans and the diaspora through arts and culture. It is a biennial event.
In addition to the opportunity to witness the continent’s rich culture you also have the option of witnessing the rich flora and fauna by visiting the numerous wildlife sanctuaries and reserves in Ghana. After all Africa is where life began!
29. Up Helly Aa – Shetland, Scotland
Up Helly Aa is a Viking fire festival and as everything Viking, this is enormous fun. The climax of the festival involves burning of a Galley – a Viking ship – after it is paraded around the city.
After which the squads – i.e. the people responsible for everything related to the Galley and the fire festival – gather around the Galley and sing the Up HellyAa song.
Only then the Galley is burnt followed by an insane party with lots of food and lots of drinks. As I said, it is a Viking festival.
30. Saint Fermin Festival – Pamplona, Spain
Held annually from July 6 – July 14 this is another gem of a festival from Spain. The most famous part of this festival is the running of the bulls. Not recommended for the faint-hearted, it involves running in front of 6 bulls charging at full speed down the city streets.
If doing this is a compulsion for you, just make sure that you do not trip while running. And avoid narrow lanes like the entrance to the bullring which is the ultimate destination of the bulls.
The same bulls are then featured in the bullfight, an event present in the bucket list of most travellers.
Man is a social animal. This leads him to search for connections outside of his own self. Thus you have man as a traveller, a wanderer and an explorer. All these categories have one thing in common, a desire to satisfy a hunger, the hunger to experience new things; you might know it as wanderlust.
And can you think of a better way to satiate it than by travelling to the most happening festivals in the world? For most, the essential factors in choosing a vacation spot would include an exotic but safe location and the ability of the place to deliver some memorable moments.
But the list is not limited to the aforementioned. Some people do not care about photographs and simply want their experiencing selves to have a great time while others maybe more preoccupied with capturing these moments on their phones. While some want to be in the thick of things, others are more passive and like peace and serenity.
Experience a new culture or experience plain madness. Get completely drunk or go without food or water during the month of Ramzan, that too for a whole month straight. Choose from snowy mountain tops to the harsh desert. But whatever you choose, choosing among these festivals is guaranteed to provide you with an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
